Ethics & Corrections
Those working in the field of corrections at any level are required to adhere to a code of ethics in dealing with inmates, colleagues and others in the judicial system. This code of ethics mandates that professional correctional officers must be honest and respect individual dignity while maintaining safety for inmates, themselves and the community.
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Importance of Professional Ethics in Corrections
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Treating inmates with respect and dignity is one of the basic principles of our correctional system. While individuals are in prisons and jails to be punished for their crimes (and to deter others from committing crimes), they still have basic human rights including the opportunity to become rehabilitated and rejoin society. Those working in the correctional system therefore have a responsibility to treat inmates with respect while maintaining safety for everyone and acting with honesty and integrity at all times.
American Correctional Association (ACA) Code of Ethics
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The American Correctional Association (ACA) code of ethics is a comprehensive code that details the legal and moral responsibilities of corrections officers in relation to inmates, visitors and colleagues. It stresses honesty and integrity in all dealings with others and specifies that all inmates must be treated fairly and with respect. Discrimination of the basis of race, birthplace, age, religion, disability, or gender is specifically prohibited.
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American Jail Association (AJA) Code of Ethics
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The American Jail Association (AJA) code of ethics requires jail officers to deal with all individuals in an evenhanded and courteous manner, and make all decisions fairly without bias relative to status or condition, to maintain a positive demeanor or even when confronted with stressful or dangerous situations, maintain confidentiality and/or report anything you see or hear according to state and local law and jail regulations, and to not become involved in the personal lives of inmates or their families.
Punishment vs. Rehabilitation
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Looking at ethics and corrections from a more macro perspective there is the big question of punishment vs. rehabilitation. This issue has been debated for centuries, with individual perspectives largely breaking down along social and political lines. That is, conservatives who believe in the classic theory of punishment and deterrence (and that strong punishments will deter the individual in question and others from committing a crime), and liberals who believe that criminals need help (rehabilitation) to break the negative psychosocial cycle that led them to crime. The result is a correctional system that blends both punishment and rehabilitation, and that has a mixed record both in terms of deterrence and recidivism rates.
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